Plan Ahead and Hunt Responsibly on Block Management Lands

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Fall hunters interested in utilizing the Block Management Program are reminded to plan ahead and review the land use rules for each Block Management Area.

Private landowners voluntarily enroll in Block Management — a cooperative program between Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) and landowners — and in turn hunters gain access to private lands. Most often private landowners administer permission.   However in some cases, FWP administers permission and assists with on-ground activites such as signing and patrols.

The program grants hunter access to more than eight million acres of land statewide and about 3 millon acres in southeastern Montana.  

Steve Atwood, FWP’s Region 7 Block Mangement Coordinator, reminds hunters that if they are hunting on a Block Management Area (BMA), they are hunting primarily on private land and that is a priviledge to be respected.  

  “BMAs provide great opportunities for public hunting, but in order to ensure continued access, it is the hunter’s responsibility to know the rules of the BMA and to respect the land and the landowner. Remember it is always a “priviledge” to hunt on private land,” Atwood said.

Hunters should pick up trash, take measures to help prevent the spread of noxious weeds, drive only where allowed, park your vehicle out of the way and in locations that prevent starting a wildland fire, follow all specific landowner requests and demonstrate courteous, legal and ethical hunting behavior. Hunters should take the time to say “Thank You” to the landowner. Most landowners are interested in how the hunt went and they enjoy the fact that you had the opportunity to hunt on their land.

BMAs each have their own rules for securing access and some only allow a limited number of hunters per day.   Hunters should be prepared to, depending on the BMA, make a reservation in advance, sign-in as they enter the area, and cancel reservations if unable to hunt on a day they have reserved. It is important to call the landowner and let them know if you have to cancel your hunt reservation so other hunters have that opportunity available to them. No-shows are a problem many of the BMA cooperators have raised as a serious issue. It is frustrating to the landowner when hunters with reservations do not call and cancel so other others can secure that hunting opportunity.

To find a listing of BMAs in southeastern Montana and learn how to obtain permission to hunt on these, stop by the Block Management room at the Miles City FWP office at the west end of town, or call 406-234-0930.  

The Miles City office has booklets that list all BMA lands in Montana.   Hunters can also request maps of specific BMAs in southeastern Montana.  

To find out more about BMAs in other parts of the state, contact the FWP regional office where you plan to hunt.